408
export of accumulated stocks. It was found that the
consequences would be serious if the same ratio of
reduction were enforced in respect of Malwa and Bengul
opium, and that the supply of Bengal opium could be
more easily curtailed. The latter is a Govertimen t
monopoly, the stocks of opium ure in Government hands,
and the poppy crop is of less agricultural importance
in British India than in Malwa. The distribution
which was finally arrived at, which favours Malwa
opium at the expense of Bengal opian, is against the
financial interests of the British India Goverrunent,
and was adopted as the only equitable way of dealing
with the important interests of a large number of
native states. Lord Morley regreta that he cannot
hold out hopes that the decision will be re-considered.
From such information as is available in this
Office as to the prices of opium in the Hong Kong
market it would appear that Malwa opium has risen in
price equally with Bengal opium. Sir F.Lugard's
despatch